Mayor Baraka, officials make attempt to get inside Delaney Hall amid ICE detention concerns
News 12 reported Monday that Baraka believes immigration detainees are being held there even though the city and courts have not given approval for the detainments.
More Stories
There were tense interactions Tuesday outside Delaney Hall as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and other city officials attempted to get inside the facility.
News 12 reported Monday that Baraka believes immigration detainees are being held there even though the city and courts have not given approval for the detainments. The mayor says he is now having city attorneys file an injunction to stop it.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in February its plans to reopen the facility under a contract with the private company The GEO Group.
The GEO Group says it has a certificate of occupancy, but the city says it needs fire and health inspections.
RELATED:
ICE: Newark’s Delaney Hall to reopen as immigration detention center
Power & Politics: Battle over ICE detention center in Newark
Group rallies at Elizabeth Detention Center in protest of ICE
Newark’s Delaney Hall to reopen as immigration detention center, according to ICE
Baraka was eventually turned away from Delaney Hall after speaking with someone at the gates.
"They intimated that they have people in there. They said there were no children there, but we need to see," he said.
Fire violations were left on the gate.
Members of the Detention Watch Network were among the organizations and people who watched the Newark officials’ attempt to get inside.
"For a while, the parking lot was empty, a couple of folks have confirmed that they met with family members outside – saying they do have family members in there," said Jenny Garcia, of Detention Watch Network.
Protesters and the mayor said they planned to return on Wednesday.
